I'm no cheap travel newcomer. As a college kid, I flew Icelandic Airline, (better known as 'Hippie Air") to Europe and backpacked my way around the continent, staying in youth hostels and eating at cheap cafes.

FAYSTON, Vt. — Ski resorts are expecting visitors to flock to the mountains of northern New England and upstate New York for rare powder as the snow-shrouded region heads into a prime period for winter tourism.